Aeration – Loosening compacted soil so air, water, and nutrients can reach plant roots.

Annuals – Plants that complete their entire life cycle in one season and need replanting each year.

Bare Root – Plants sold without soil around their roots, usually dormant and ready for planting.

Beneficial Insects – “Good bugs” like ladybirds and bees that help control pests or pollinate plants.

Biennials – Plants that grow leaves in their first year, then flower and die in their second year.

Clay Soil – Heavy, sticky soil that holds water but drains poorly; often improved with compost.

Companion Planting – Growing different plants together so they help each other, like basil repelling pests from tomatoes.

Compost – Decomposed organic matter (food scraps, leaves, garden waste) that enriches soil naturally.

Cuttings – Pieces of a plant (like stems or leaves) grown into new plants.

Deadheading – Snipping off faded flowers to encourage new blooms.

Deciduous – Trees and shrubs that lose their leaves in winter.

Direct Sowing – Planting seeds straight into garden soil, not in trays or pots first.

Drainage – How quickly water moves through soil; good drainage prevents root rot.

Evergreen – Plants that keep their leaves year-round, even in winter.

Fertiliser – Plant food, either natural (compost, manure) or synthetic, that adds nutrients to soil.

Frost Tender – Plants that can be damaged or killed by frost and need protection in cold weather.

Full Sun – A garden spot that gets at least 6–8 hours of sunlight a day.

Germination – The process of a seed sprouting into a new plant.

Groundcover – Low-growing plants that spread and cover soil, helping to reduce weeds.

Hardening Off – Gradually getting seedlings used to outdoor conditions before planting them outside.

Heirloom Seeds – Old, traditional plant varieties passed down through generations for flavour and resilience.

Herbaceous Perennial – Plants that die back in winter but return from their roots in spring.

Humus – Rich, dark organic material in soil that boosts fertility.

Hybrid Plants – Plants bred by crossing two varieties for desirable traits like bigger flowers or better disease resistance.

Mulch – A layer of bark, straw, or compost spread on soil to keep moisture in and weeds down.

Organic Gardening – Growing plants without synthetic chemicals, focusing on natural soil health and pest control.

Perennials – Plants that live for many years, flowering and regrowing each season.

pH (Soil pH) – A measure of how acidic or alkaline soil is; most plants like a neutral range.

Pollinators – Insects, birds, or bats that transfer pollen and help plants produce fruit and seeds.

Pruning – Cutting back branches or stems to encourage healthy growth and shape plants.

Raised Beds – Garden beds built above ground, often with wooden frames, filled with improved soil.

Rhizome – An underground stem that spreads sideways and produces new shoots, like ginger or iris.

Self-Seeding – Plants that drop seeds which grow into new plants the following season.

Soil Amendment – Material like compost, sand, or lime added to improve soil quality.

Succession Planting – Planting crops in stages so you get a continuous harvest.

Taproot – A single main root that grows deep into the soil, like a carrot.

Thinning – Removing some seedlings so the remaining ones have space to grow.

Top Dressing – Adding compost or fertiliser to the soil surface around plants.

Transplanting – Moving young plants from pots or trays into the garden.

Trellis – A frame or structure used to support climbing plants like beans or roses.

Variegated – Leaves with more than one colour, such as green and white patterns.

Vermicompost – Compost made with worms that break down food and garden waste into nutrient-rich soil.

Waterlogging – Soil that stays too wet, leading to poor plant health or root rot.

Weed Suppression – Using mulch, groundcovers, or weed mats to reduce unwanted plants.

Wildflower Meadow – A naturalistic garden area planted with a mix of colourful, pollinator-friendly flowers.